Blog # 1 by: Omari Newton – Representation Trumps Reality: why what we see on screen matters
Like many of us, I have been in somewhat of a daze following the election of billionaire, turned reality TV star Donald J Trump as president of the United States of America. Unlike many, I can’t say I’m entirely surprised by the result. Any minority who has been on the receiving end of systemic or overt racism, which is to say, all minorities, was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of Obama not being replaced by a man whose rhetoric has been at best insensitive to the plight of immigrants, Muslims and African Americans, not to mention women and anyone with progressive political leanings. To be clear, the cause of my dismay isn’t about a political ideology that is admittedly often at odds with my own. I have friends in Canada and the USA who are politically conservative. Though we disagree to be sure, there is common ground to be found and mutual respect, despite our core disagreements. What was so unsettling about these election results to myself and I dare say many members of minority groups has to do with our sense of fairness, justice and morality. Despite being well aware that the world can be a harsh, and unfair place, I was deluded into the clearly false belief that certain things would disqualify any candidate from being considered a viable choice as a leader. No matter who is steering the ship, or what direction they wanted to take the ship in, it was my (false) belief that the overwhelming majority of people agreed that you always need a captain who at the very least is capable of actually piloting the vessel. There are core traits that I assumed one needed to inspire confidence in others and be elected to any leadership position. Some of those key traits include experience, knowledge, honesty, morality and discipline. I assume anyone reading this is well aware of the laundry list of outlandish things Trump said and did on the campaign trail. If you aren’t here’s a quick, hilariously depressing refresher courtesy of Seth Meyers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmmBi4V7X1M
In short, on a surface level, it seemed like Trump was uniquely unqualified to be America’s next leader, as he hadn’t exhibited any of the core traits one should look for in one. Or did he? Fans of reality TV are no doubt familiar with Trump’s show The Apprentice. A series that was once so popular it made the then generic term “you’re fired” a trendy catch phrase now forever linked to the incoming president elect. On this wildly popular show, Trump was constantly featured in the most complimentary light. He was depicted as authoritative, all powerful and decisive. His carefully crafted appearances shaped by professional editors always ensured he looked like the picture of power, intelligence and leadership. The show climaxed every night with some of America’s most beloved celebrities grovelling for his mercy and approval in his luxurious Manhattan boardroom, where he sat in a big chair, in an expensive suit and often red tie looking downright, well… presidential. While most of us are intellectually aware that a “reality” show is about as accurate a term as “friendly fire” is to describe being fatally shot by an ally while engaged in combat, on an emotional, subconscious level, one has to wonder how much of an impact these images of Trump the great leader being fed to millions of Americans had on shaping their opinions of him? The reasons people vote are of course complex and nuanced. Millions of impoverished Americans clearly wanted change and voted as a rejection against the Washington elites who they felt had forgotten about them. But is this so obviously flawed man the right person to lead the charge? Did it even matter to his supporters? Just watch any commercial for fast food and observe its’ continued popularity if you need an example of the public’s ability to be swayed by images on TV to act in a way that is blatantly counter to their best interests.
If nothing else, this latest election result has reminded me of the impact and importance of the images on our screens. Minds are shaped on a subconscious level by the pictures they consume. If certain groups or people are constantly depicted in a positive light, our impressions of them will be seen through a more forgiving lens no matter what outrageous thing they say or do. Similarly, if an individual or group is constantly seen on screen in a negative light, you can bet that public perceptions will be swayed in that direction. Worse still, if certain groups are not depicted at all, you can bet they will struggle to be seen/heard at all in everyday settings. Images on our screens and what they say about those featured matter. Which is why a rich Diversity of images and perspectives on our screens matter. To quote late great Canadian professor Marshall Mcluhan.
“The Medium is The Message”
Omari
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmmBi4V7X1M
In short, on a surface level, it seemed like Trump was uniquely unqualified to be America’s next leader, as he hadn’t exhibited any of the core traits one should look for in one. Or did he? Fans of reality TV are no doubt familiar with Trump’s show The Apprentice. A series that was once so popular it made the then generic term “you’re fired” a trendy catch phrase now forever linked to the incoming president elect. On this wildly popular show, Trump was constantly featured in the most complimentary light. He was depicted as authoritative, all powerful and decisive. His carefully crafted appearances shaped by professional editors always ensured he looked like the picture of power, intelligence and leadership. The show climaxed every night with some of America’s most beloved celebrities grovelling for his mercy and approval in his luxurious Manhattan boardroom, where he sat in a big chair, in an expensive suit and often red tie looking downright, well… presidential. While most of us are intellectually aware that a “reality” show is about as accurate a term as “friendly fire” is to describe being fatally shot by an ally while engaged in combat, on an emotional, subconscious level, one has to wonder how much of an impact these images of Trump the great leader being fed to millions of Americans had on shaping their opinions of him? The reasons people vote are of course complex and nuanced. Millions of impoverished Americans clearly wanted change and voted as a rejection against the Washington elites who they felt had forgotten about them. But is this so obviously flawed man the right person to lead the charge? Did it even matter to his supporters? Just watch any commercial for fast food and observe its’ continued popularity if you need an example of the public’s ability to be swayed by images on TV to act in a way that is blatantly counter to their best interests.
If nothing else, this latest election result has reminded me of the impact and importance of the images on our screens. Minds are shaped on a subconscious level by the pictures they consume. If certain groups or people are constantly depicted in a positive light, our impressions of them will be seen through a more forgiving lens no matter what outrageous thing they say or do. Similarly, if an individual or group is constantly seen on screen in a negative light, you can bet that public perceptions will be swayed in that direction. Worse still, if certain groups are not depicted at all, you can bet they will struggle to be seen/heard at all in everyday settings. Images on our screens and what they say about those featured matter. Which is why a rich Diversity of images and perspectives on our screens matter. To quote late great Canadian professor Marshall Mcluhan.
“The Medium is The Message”
Omari
